Richard Peters, Uyo
In a world where effective leadership is crucial for societal progress, Umo Eno’s perception of good governance offers a sigh of relief. According to Eno, good governance is the foundation upon which all-round prosperity is built. But what does this mean, and how can it be achieved?
For Eno, good governance is about more than just making decisions; it’s about creating a system that prioritizes accountability, transparency, and inclusivity. It’s about putting the needs of the people at the forefront of policy-making and ensuring that everyone has access to the resources they need to thrive.
From the days of the Bible, governance had been, and was done in positive and negative ways, but those who towed the path of positivism are remembered and heralded for leaving good footprints of governance on the sands of time,
When the mantle of leadership fell on Governor Umo Eno, many did not see his perception of governance, talk more of his disposition towards a good one. He was thought of being everything unqualified but never considered as being the missing link in good governance. But the State Chief Executive has wowed onlookers in 13 months of his administration and counting.
One evidence of good governance planted by Governor Umo Eno is the zeal to spark-up the education sector, evident in the replication of the renovation of Christ the King Model Primary School, located at Wellington Bassey Way, across the 31 Local Government Areas of the State. The plan, according to this prioritizer of primary education is to turn the Schools into a star-studded, dignified high-class learning institution, where children can have a good feel and share of the luxury accorded their contemporaries in private Schools. To make this even more appealing to the young learners, the Governor ensured that new school uniforms were sewn for the pupils, alongside the donation of free books, shoes and school bags.
Thus, with the replication of CKS model across the State, Akwa Ibom children are sure to enjoy holistic leaning experience.
Umo Eno who can best be described as a humanitarian has provided shelter for the needy. Under the ARISE Compassionate Homes Scheme, over 50 new houses have so far been built, furnished and handed over to less privileged members of the society, while more than a Hundred are undergoing construction. A N500,000.00 business grant is also given to beneficiaries to support their means of livelihood.
Courtesy of his premium on healthcare, Akwa Ibom State can now boast of brand new fully equipped Primary Health Care centres. Like in the case of CKS, the model Primary Healthcare Centre in Ikot Nkwo, Ibesikpo Asutan; Odot in Nsit Atai; Eyulor in Orue Offong/Oruko and Oboyo Ikot Ita in Nsit Ibom are being replicated across the 31 Local Government Areas of the State under the mandate to implement one project per Local Government Area. This implies that each Local Government would be equipped to become independent, self-sustaining and able to manage it health complexities without much ado, instead of transferring cases to a bigger hospital miles away.
Governor Umo Eno’s conscious measure toward curbing insecurity was demonstrated in the establishment of Ibom Community Watch to boost community policing. Upon establishment, the Watch has served two purposes – safety of lives and properties and employment of labour. More than 3,000 recruits who have enrolled into the Watch are being verified and will be staffed as soon as they are cleared. The Governor also donated operational vehicles to security agencies in the State and gunboats to the Navy for patrol of the waterways to ensure the safety of fishermen and mongers.
Meanwhile, the Governor has massively thrown his energy at entrepreneurial development. In May 2024, Pastor Umo Eno disbursed a N400Million business grant to 800 beneficiaries of his Entrepreneurship Acceleration Programme coordinated by Ibom LED, a business school he established in the State to train people free of charge. Each person received N500, 000.00 plus other incentives such as work tools, etc. At the last check, the next set of beneficiaries who are undergoing training and will also receive theirs at the completion of learning have been increased to accommodate more teeming entrepreneurs.
As part of his drive to ensure food availability and sufficiency, the Governor has facilitated the construction of Ibom Model Farm; a Pilot Songhai model integrated farm on 50 hectares of land in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area. He also has flagged-off the second phase of the Akwa Ibom-Cares with the distribution of agricultural inputs and assets to farmers in the State, while establishing the Bulk Purchase Agency to give food items to the needy, free of charge, to help them survive the hard times.
Notably, Governor Eno has intervened in more than 50 road construction projects so far. In his first 100 days as Governor, he rehabilitated Akpan Andem market by providing it with pipe borne water; installation of solar powered lights for security purposes, and constructed Johnson street beside the market which had become deplorable.
Within his first two months in office, the State Governor first visited the renowned Atiku Abubakar Way to have a feel of the flood story surrounding the area. He immediately commenced the construction of an underground drainage to channel the flood out of the area and ensured the reconstruction of the road.
At the moment, Airport Road, now known as Udom Emmanuel Boulevard, to Okopedi Road, Nsit Atai and Okobo is being dualized and the people of Nto Ide-Ikot Amba in Obot Akara now have a bridge to connect with other communities and aid transport/commerce.
Umo Eno’s perception of good governance offers a sigh of relief in a world where corruption, inequality, and environmental degradation often seem insurmountable. His approach provides a refreshing alternative to the status quo, one that prioritizes the well-being of people and the planet over personal gain and special interests.
Good governance is underpinned by five core principles of accountability, leadership, integrity, stewardship and transparency. Anyone who plays by these principles in word and action demonstrates true leadership ideals. Governor Umo Eno is therefore on track as a leader who knows his onions.
